Threaded trocar for adapter assemblies

ABSTRACT

A trocar assembly for releasable engagement with an adapter assembly of a surgical stapling instrument includes a housing having a first end cap and a second end cap, a trocar member rotatably supported with the housing and movable between a retracted position and an advanced position, and a drive member rotatably supported within the housing. The trocar member includes a threaded body and defines a longitudinal channel. The drive member includes a drive portion received within the longitudinal channel of the trocar member. Rotation of the drive member causes longitudinal movement of the trocar member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/661,266 filed Apr. 23, 2018, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to circular stapling instruments. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to threaded trocars for usein adapter assemblies for circular stapling instruments.

Background of Related Art

Surgical instruments for applying staples, clips, or other fasteners totissue are well known. Typically, endoscopic stapling instrumentsinclude an actuation unit, i.e., a handle assembly for actuating theinstrument, an elongate shaft for accessing a body cavity, and a toolassembly disposed at a distal end of the elongate shaft.

Adapter assemblies used with a circular stapling tool assembly include atrocar assembly for selectively positioning an anvil assembly relativeto a cartridge assembly. To facilitate sterilization and reuse of theadapter assemblies, many adapter assemblies include a removable trocarassembly.

SUMMARY

A trocar assembly for releasable engagement with an adapter assembly ofa surgical stapling instrument is provided. The trocar assembly includesa housing having a first end cap and a second end cap, a trocar memberrotatably supported with the housing and movable between a retractedposition and an advanced position, and a drive member rotatablysupported within the housing. The trocar member includes a threaded bodyand defines a longitudinal channel. The drive member includes a driveportion received within the longitudinal channel of the trocar member.Rotation of the drive member causes longitudinal movement of the trocarmember.

In embodiments, the second end cap includes a threaded bore. Thethreaded body of the trocar member may be received through the threadedbore of the second end cap to cause the longitudinal movement of thetrocar member during rotation of the drive member. The first end cap mayinclude a bore and the drive member may include an engagement portionreceived through the bore. The drive member and the trocar member may belongitudinally fixed relative to each other. Rotation of the drivemember in a first direction may cause rotation advancement of the trocarmember. Rotation of the drive member in a second direction may causeretraction of the trocar member.

In some embodiments, the second end cap is configured to retain thetrocar member within the housing. The housing may define at least oneslot for facilitating attachment of the trocar assembly within anadapter assembly. A distal end of the trocar member may be configuredfor operable engagement by an anvil assembly. The distal end of thetrocar member may include a tapered end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosureand, together with a general description of the disclosure given above,and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling instrument includingtrocar assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adapter assembly of the surgicalstapling instrument shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a proximal portion of the adapterassembly shown in FIG. 1 and a trocar assembly according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the trocar assembly shown in FIG. 3,with components separated;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the trocar assembly shown inFIG. 3, with a trocar member in a retracted position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line 6-6 shown in FIG.5; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the trocar assembly shown inFIG. 3, with a trocar member in an advanced position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed removable trocar assembly willnow be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which likereference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in eachof the several views. As is common in the art, the term “proximal”refers to that part or component closer to the user or operator, i.e.surgeon or clinician, while the term “distal” refers to that part orcomponent farther away from the user.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an adapter assembly suitable for use witha removable trocar assembly according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, shown generally as adapter assembly 20, is a component of asurgical stapling instrument 10. The surgical stapling instrument 10further includes a powered handle assembly 30, a loading unit 40, and ananvil assembly 50. Although shown and described with reference tosurgical stapling instrument 10, the aspects of the present disclosuremay be modified for use with surgical stapling instruments havingalternative configurations. For a detailed description of exemplarypowered surgical stapling instruments, please refer to commonly ownedU.S. Pat. No. 9,023,014 (“the '014 patent) and U.S. Pat. No. 9,055,943(“the '943 patent”), the contents of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

The adapter assembly 20 of the surgical stapling instrument 10 will onlybe described to the extent necessary to fully disclose the aspects ofthe present disclosure. For a detailed description of exemplary adapterassemblies, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos.2016/0106406 (“the '406 publication) and 2017/0086879 (“the '879publication”), the contents of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

With reference to FIG. 2, the adapter assembly 20 includes a proximalportion 22 configured for operable connection to the handle assembly 30(FIG. 1) and a distal portion 24 configured for operable connection tothe loading unit 40 (FIG. 1). Although shown and described as forming anintegral unit, it is envisioned that the proximal and distal portions22, 24 may be formed as separate units that are releasably securable toone another.

Turning to FIG. 3, the removable trocar assembly according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, shown generally as trocar assembly100, extends distally from the distal portion 24 of the adapter assembly20 of the surgical stapling instrument 10. The trocar assembly 100 isreleasably secured within the distal portion 24 of the adapter assembly20. For a detailed description of an exemplary locking mechanism forsecuring the trocar assembly 100 within the distal portion 24 of theadapter assembly 20, please refer to the '879 publication, the contentof which was previously incorporated by reference herein.

With particular reference now to FIG. 4-6, the trocar assembly 100 ofthe adapter assembly 100 (FIG. 2) of the surgical stapling instrument 10includes a housing 110, a trocar member 120 rotatably disposed withinthe housing 110, and a drive member 130 received within the trocarmember 120 for rotating the trocar member 120 relative to the housing110. As will be described in further detail below, the trocar member 120and the drive member 130 are operably retained within the housing 110 byproximal and distal end caps 102, 104. By limiting the number ofcomponents of the trocar assembly 100, the cost of manufacturing thetrocar assembly 100 is reduced.

The housing 110 of the trocar assembly 100 includes a substantiallytubular body 112 having proximal and distal portions 114, 116. Inembodiments, the tubular body 112 defines a pair of slots 111 a, 111 bto facilitate releasable attachment of the trocar assembly 100 withinthe distal portion 24 of the adapter assembly 20 of the surgicalstapling instrument 10. Alternatively, the tubular body 112 of thehousing 110 may include tabs, slots and tabs, threading, or othersuitable configuration for releasable attachment of the trocar assembly100 to the adapter assembly 20. An inner surface 118 of the housing 110may include a friction reducing coating or be otherwise configured tofacilitate rotational and/or longitudinal movement of the trocar member120 within the housing 110.

The first and second end caps 102, 104 of the trocar assembly 100 aresecured to the proximal and distal portions 114, 116, respectively, ofthe tubular body 112 of the housing 110. The first and second end caps102, 104 may be secured to the tubular body 112 using adhesive, welding,friction fit, mechanical interface, e.g., threads or bayonet coupling,or in any other suitable manner.

The first end cap 102 of the trocar assembly 100 defines an opening 103configured to receive a proximal portion 134 of the drive member 130therethrough. The first end cap 102 further defines a recess 103 a (FIG.5) for receiving a snap ring 106. The snap ring 106 longitudinally fixesthe drive member 130 relative to the housing 110 while permittingrotation of the drive member 130 relative to the housing 110. The endcap 102 may be configured to support a bearing assembly (not shown) forreducing friction between the drive member 130 and the housing 110 andfor facilitating rotation of the drive member 130.

The second end cap 104 of the trocar assembly 100 defines a threadedbore 105 configured for threaded engagement with the trocar member 120of the trocar assembly 100. In embodiments, the second end cap 104 isformed of plastic such as PEEK or other friction reducing material,and/or includes a friction reducing insert or coating to facilitatethreaded engagement with the trocar member 120. In other embodiments,second cap 104 is formed in stainless steel and can utilize any desiredthread form. In one example, the thread form can utilize acme threads.In another example, the thread form can utilize V-Style threads. Instill other examples, the thread form can be a combination of Acme andV-Style. Those having skill in the art can appreciate that second cap104 can find use with a plurality of materials, utilize a variety ofcoatings, and have any style thread form.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4-6, the trocar member 120 of thetrocar assembly 100 includes an elongate body 122 having a cylindricalproximal portion 124, a threaded central portion 126, and a tapereddistal portion 128. The trocar member 120 of the trocar assembly 100 isconfigured for rotational and longitudinal movement relative to thehousing 110 of the trocar assembly 100.

As will be described in further detail below, rotation of the drivemember 130 of the trocar assembly 100 in a first rotational direction,i.e., clockwise, as indicated by arrow “A” in FIG. 6, causes rotation ofthe trocar member 120 in the first rotational direction. Rotation of thetrocar member 120 in the first direction causes longitudinal movement ofthe trocar member 120 in a first longitudinal direction, i.e.,advancement, as indicated by arrow “B” in FIG. 5. Conversely, rotationof the drive member 130 of the trocar assembly 100 in a secondrotational direction, i.e., counter-clockwise, as indicated by arrow “C”in FIG. 6, causes rotation of the trocar member 120 in the secondrotational direction. Rotation of the trocar member 120 in the secondrotational direction causes longitudinal movement of the trocar member120 in a second longitudinal direction, i.e., retraction, as indicatedby arrow “D” in FIG. 7.

The cylindrical proximal portion 124 of the trocar member 120 maintainsthe trocar member 120 in axial alignment with the housing 110 of thetrocar assembly 100. The cylindrical proximal portion 124 may include afriction reducing coating or be otherwise configured to facilitaterotational and longitudinal movement of the trocar member 120 relativeto the housing 110 of the trocar assembly 100. The cylindrical proximalportion 124 of the trocar member 120 also acts as a stop member forretaining the trocar member 120 within the housing 110 of the trocarassembly 100. More particularly, a distal portion 124 a of thecylindrical proximal portion 124 of the trocar member 120 engages thesecond end cap 104 to prevent the trocar member 130 exiting the housing110 of the trocar assembly 100 during advancement of the trocar member120.

The threaded central portion 126 of the trocar member 120 of the trocarassembly 100 includes threads 126 a that engage the threaded bore 105 ofthe second end cap 104. The threads 126 a are configured such thatrotation of the trocar member 120 in the first rotational direction, asindicated by arrow “A” in FIG. 6, moves the trocar member 120 in thefirst longitudinal direction, as indicated by arrow “B” in FIG. 5, androtation of the trocar member 120 in the second rotational direction, asindicated by arrow “C” in FIG. 6, moves the trocar member 120 in thesecond longitudinal direction, as indicated by arrow “D” in FIG. 7.

The tapered distal portion 128 of the trocar member 120 is configuredfor releasable connection by the anvil assembly 50 of the surgicalstapling instrument 10. The tapered distal portion 128 of the trocarmember 120 may be configured to pierce or otherwise be received throughtissue. The tapered distal portion 128 of the trocar member 120 definesa notch 129 configured to facilitate attachment with the anvil assembly50.

The elongate body 122 of the trocar member 120 defines a longitudinalchannel 121 dimensioned to receive the drive member 130 of the trocarassembly 100. In embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 6, the longitudinalchannel 121 includes a square cross-section. It is envisioned that thelongitudinal channel 121 may include a cross-section of any shapesuitable for fixed rotational engagement with the drive member 130 ofthe trocar assembly 100. The trocar member 120 include a frictionreducing member along the longitudinal channel 121 configured tofacilitate longitudinal movement of the trocar member 120 relative tothe drive member 130.

Still referring to FIGS. 4-6, the drive member 130 of the trocarassembly 100 includes an elongate body 132 having a proximal engagementportion 134, a bearing portion 136, and a distal drive portion 138. Theproximal engagement portion 134 of the drive member 130 is configuredfor operable engagement with a drive element (not shown) of the handleassembly 30. The bearing portion 136 of the drive member 130 defines agroove 137 configured to receive the snap ring 106 of the trocarassembly 100. The snap ring 106 maintains the drive member 130longitudinally disposed within the housing 110 of the trocar assembly100 while permitting rotation of the drive member 130 relative to thehousing 110. The drive portion 138 of the drive member 130 is configuredto be received within the longitudinal channel 121 of the elongate body122 of the trocar member 120 of the trocar assembly 100. As noted above,in embodiments, and as shown, the drive portion 138 of the drive member130 includes a square cross-section corresponding to the squarecross-section of the longitudinal channel 121, although other shapes areenvisioned. The drive portion 138 may be formed of or include a frictionreducing material to permit longitudinal movement of the trocar member120 relative to the drive member 130.

Operation of the surgical stapling instrument 10, including trocarassembly 100, is substantially similar to the operation of the surgicalstapling instrument and trocar assembly shown in and described in the'879 publication.

Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure havebeen described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it isto be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may beeffected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trocar assembly for releasable engagement withan adapter assembly of a surgical stapling instrument, the trocarassembly comprising: a housing including a first end cap and a secondend cap; a trocar member rotatably supported with the housing andmovable between a retracted position and an advanced position, thetrocar member including a threaded body and defining a longitudinalchannel; and a drive member rotatably supported within the housing andincluding a drive portion received within the longitudinal channel ofthe trocar member, wherein the drive member and the trocar member arerotationally fixed relative to each other and rotation of the drivemember causes longitudinal movement of the trocar member.
 2. The trocarassembly of claim 1, wherein the second end cap includes a threadedbore, the threaded body of the trocar member being received through thethreaded bore to cause the longitudinal movement of the trocar memberduring rotation of the drive member.
 3. The trocar assembly of claim 1,wherein the first end cap includes a bore and the drive member includesan engagement portion received through the bore.
 4. The trocar assemblyof claim 1, wherein rotation of the drive member in a first directioncauses rotational advancement of the trocar member.
 5. The trocarassembly of claim 4, wherein rotation of the drive member in a seconddirection causes retraction of the trocar member.
 6. The trocar assemblyof claim 1, wherein the second end cap is configured to retain thetrocar member within the housing.
 7. The trocar assembly of claim 1,wherein the housing defines at least one slot for facilitatingattachment of the trocar assembly within an adapter assembly.
 8. Thetrocar assembly of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the trocar member isconfigured for operable engagement by an anvil assembly.
 9. The trocarassembly of claim 8, wherein the distal end of the trocar memberincludes a tapered end.
 10. A trocar assembly for releasable engagementwith an adapter assembly of a surgical stapling instrument, the trocarassembly comprising: a housing; a trocar member rotatably supported withthe housing and movable between a retracted position and an advancedposition, the trocar member including an externally threaded body anddefining a longitudinal channel; and a drive member rotatably supportedwithin the housing and including a drive portion received within thelongitudinal channel of the trocar member, wherein rotation of the drivemember causes longitudinal movement of the trocar member.
 11. The trocarassembly of claim 10, wherein a distal end of the trocar member isconfigured for operable engagement by an anvil assembly.
 12. The trocarassembly of claim 10, wherein the housing includes an end cap having athreaded bore, the externally threaded body of the trocar member beingreceived through the threaded bore to cause the longitudinal movement ofthe trocar member during rotation of the drive member.
 13. The trocarassembly of claim 12, wherein rotation of the drive member in a firstdirection causes rotational advancement of the trocar member.
 14. Thetrocar assembly of claim 13, wherein rotation of the drive member in asecond direction causes retraction of the trocar member.
 15. A trocarassembly for releasable engagement with an adapter assembly of asurgical stapling instrument, the trocar assembly comprising: a housing;a trocar member rotatably supported with the housing and movable betweena retracted position and an advanced position; and a drive memberrotatably supported within the housing and including a drive portionreceived within a longitudinal channel of the trocar member, wherein thedrive member and the trocar member are rotationally fixed relative toeach other and rotation of the drive member causes longitudinal movementof the trocar member.
 16. The trocar assembly of claim 15, whereinrotation of the drive member in a first direction causes rotationaladvancement of the trocar member.
 17. The trocar assembly of claim 16,wherein rotation of the drive member in a second direction causesretraction of the trocar member.
 18. The trocar assembly of claim 15,wherein the housing includes an end cap having a threaded bore, theexternally threaded body of the trocar member being received through thethreaded bore to cause the longitudinal movement of the trocar memberduring rotation of the drive member.
 19. The trocar assembly of claim15, wherein a distal end of the trocar member is configured for operableengagement by an anvil assembly.